SPS School Board Places Levy On Ballot

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Public Schools Board of Directors has voted to put a replacement educational program levy on the Feb. 14, 2012, ballot. The levy is not a new tax, but simply replaces the 2009 levy approved by voters, which expires in 2012.

Board officials say the levy is a way for the Spokane community to provide almost one-quarter of the dollars necessary to offer a well-rounded education to Spokane Public Schools' students.

They went on to say the levy would support crucial classes, programs and staff: teachers for providing reasonable class sizes; counselors, career specialists, nurses and librarians; gifted and talented program; high school and middle school electives such as Advanced Placement classes; elementary band and strings program; elementary art classes; online learning; drop-out prevention programs; special education and English language learner programs; student transportation; sports, clubs and intramurals; security officers; and support staff such as custodial, maintenance, administrative and clerical.

The amount of the levy is $73.3 million and is estimated to cost taxpayers between $3.89 and $4.49 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, depending on whether the state legislature decides to cut or maintain levy equalization assistance – a subsidy to property "poor" districts like most eastern Washington school districts.

To vote in the Feb. 14 election, the mail-in and online voter registration deadline is Jan. 13. Mail-in forms are available at schools and the Spokane County Elections Office. Feb. 6 is the deadline for those who miss the online deadline and wish to register in person.

For information, visit the Elections page at www.spokanecounty.org/elections or call 477-2320.The Elections Office will mail ballots to registered voters at the end of January.

Find more information about the replacement levy at www.spokaneschools.org. Citizens are encouraged to vote by sending their ballots to the Elections Office by Feb. 14.

A man, claiming to be "the spawn of Lucifer," said he stabbed an eight-year-old boy because he "felt like he had to kill a child" and that it was "almost like a sacrifice." 30-year-old Bruce Derek Landahl was arrested Saturday for allegedly entering the HiCo store on Sprague, walking up to an eight-year-old boy playing on an iPad and stabbing him multiple times before the boy's father was able to stop him.

A man, claiming to be "the spawn of Lucifer," said he stabbed an eight-year-old boy because he "felt like he had to kill a child" and that it was "almost like a sacrifice." 30-year-old Bruce Derek Landahl was arrested Saturday for allegedly entering the HiCo store on Sprague, walking up to an eight-year-old boy playing on an iPad and stabbing him multiple times before the boy's father was able to stop him.

JBS USA has recalled nearly 100,000 pounds of ground beef due to concerns about possible e-coli contamination. The products have the establishment number Est.628 and were produced on October 24th. Products that were recalled were shipped to distributors in retail locations in California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

JBS USA has recalled nearly 100,000 pounds of ground beef due to concerns about possible e-coli contamination. The products have the establishment number Est.628 and were produced on October 24th. Products that were recalled were shipped to distributors in retail locations in California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

TRENTON, N.J. - An attorney for a woman charged with scamming GoFundMe donors with a story about a homeless veteran says she was duped by her former boyfriend. James Gerrow tells ABC's "Good Morning America" that Mark D'Amico was "calling the shots." Gerrow says Katelyn McClure thought she was helping Marine vet Johnny Bobbitt.

TRENTON, N.J. - An attorney for a woman charged with scamming GoFundMe donors with a story about a homeless veteran says she was duped by her former boyfriend. James Gerrow tells ABC's "Good Morning America" that Mark D'Amico was "calling the shots." Gerrow says Katelyn McClure thought she was helping Marine vet Johnny Bobbitt.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. - A 30-year-old male is facing attempted murder charges after stabbing an eight-year-old boy at a HiCo store in Spokane Valley Saturday night. Around 4:30 p.m, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a call of two males fighting along with the reported stabbing.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. - A 30-year-old male is facing attempted murder charges after stabbing an eight-year-old boy at a HiCo store in Spokane Valley Saturday night. Around 4:30 p.m, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a call of two males fighting along with the reported stabbing.

Several locals are trying to help the family of an eight-year-old boy, who was randomly stabbed at a gas station Saturday. Rayel Von Quade said she and three others (Salem Rose Sovereign, Quincey Brooks and Dani Loup) have been in touch with the Bush family. (KHQ has reached out to the family and have not heard back.) "They're, of course, very overwhelmed and stressed out right now and she's been dealing with a lot of messages from a lot of people coming through. But she says t...

Several locals are trying to help the family of an eight-year-old boy, who was randomly stabbed at a gas station Saturday. Rayel Von Quade said she and three others (Salem Rose Sovereign, Quincey Brooks and Dani Loup) have been in touch with the Bush family. (KHQ has reached out to the family and have not heard back.) "They're, of course, very overwhelmed and stressed out right now and she's been dealing with a lot of messages from a lot of people coming through. But she says t...